What does Matthew 28:2 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 28:2 is a verse from the New Testament of the Christian Bible that describes an extraordinary event taking place at the tomb where Jesus was buried after his crucifixion.

This verse conveys that a supernatural event occurred , a great earthquake happened as an angel of the Lord descended from heaven. This angel had the power to remove the stone that sealed Jesus’ tomb, and then he sat upon the stone, signifying that his action was deliberate and purposeful.

The verse captures both the literal event and the symbolic significance of the angel's actions , the removal of the stone is often interpreted as God’s power over death and the validation of Jesus' resurrection.

Historical Context

The Gospel of Matthew is one of the four canonical gospels and is a book of the New Testament.

It is believed to have been written between 70 and 110 AD.

This particular event is part of the resurrection narrative , a foundational aspect of Christian belief where Jesus rises from the dead after his crucifixion, defeating death and offering salvation.

The historical context is a time when early Christianity was beginning to spread, but Christians were often persecuted for their beliefs.

The narrative underscores the miraculous nature of Jesus and supports the claim that he is the Messiah prophesied in the Hebrew scriptures.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse is pivotal as it marks God's direct intervention to reveal the risen Christ. Different theological viewpoints vary in their interpretation:

• Traditional Christian theology often views this verse as a literal historical event that corroborates Jesus’ divine nature and resurrection.
• Liberal Christian theologians might understand the verse as a metaphorical or symbolic representation of the triumph over death.
• Non-Christian perspectives may interpret the passage as part of Christian mythology without historical basis.

In all interpretations, the verse reaffirms the core Christian belief in the resurrection.

Practical Applications

Practically, this verse encourages believers to trust in the transformative power of God and to have hope in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

It reassures Christians that just as the stone was rolled away, God can remove barriers in their lives.

This can be applied in modern contexts by encouraging faith during difficult times, promoting perseverance, and strengthening the belief in the possibility of new beginnings.

Cross-References

• Matthew 27:60: "And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed."
• Matthew 28:5-6: "And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.

Come, see the place where the Lord lay."

• Mark 16:4: “And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.”
• Luke 24:2: "And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre."
• Acts 4:33: "And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all."

Language Study

There are a few key phrases in the original Greek that stand out in this verse:

• "ἐγένετο σεισμὸς μέγας" (egeneto seismos megas): Translated as "there was a great earthquake," the word "seismos" refers to the shaking or quaking of the ground, signifying a cosmic event.
• "ἄγγελος Κυρίου" (angelos Kyriou): "Angel of the Lord” suggests a divine messenger with authority from God.
• "ἀπεκύλισεν τὸν λίθον" (apekulisen ton lithon): "Rolled back the stone," with "apekulisen" conveying the action of rolling away, which emphasizes the angel’s power.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Other ancient myths and religions also speak of beings with tremendous power, including gods or angels altering the physical world. For instance, in Greek mythology, gods often intervene in human affairs.

However, the specific concept of an angel rolling away a stone to reveal an empty tomb is unique to Christianity and underscores the belief in the physical resurrection of Jesus as a divine act.

Scientific Perspectives

The mention of an earthquake in the verse can be examined from a scientific standpoint. Earthquakes are natural phenomena that can cause ground shaking, although there is no geological record of an earthquake that coincides with the biblical account.

Some scholars have attempted to reconcile the biblical narrative with seismic activity in the region, while others see the earthquake as symbolic or literary device rather than a historical reporting.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and commentators have offered various interpretations of this verse:

• Matthew Henry's Commentary suggests that the earthquake and the angel's appearance were divine testimonies to the resurrection of Christ.
• The Expositor's Bible Commentary indicates that the miraculous elements of the narrative emphasize the divine validation of Jesus' resurrection.
• John Calvin and other Reformed theologians have historically affirmed the literal interpretation of the verse, upholding its importance in demonstrating the power of God and the truth of the resurrection.